Some years ago I was operating from 5R8 and talkingto an op in Mali who was head of the Peace Corps there.I had heard some years previously that one of my bestfriends from way back was working with USAID in Mali.I took a stab in the dark and asked him if he knew myfriend. He paused and then blurted out:"Why yes! I talk with him several times a week,he lives a few kilometers from from me".

Here I was 11,000 miles from home, in a Third WorldCountry, talking to a complete stranger 3,000 miles away in another Third World Country, and we had a friend in common!

I USED to love the making new acquaintances and expanding my knowledge of other cultures, etc... but anymore it seems like all anyone wants to do is say "thanks your 5/9... QRZ". So very hard to find nice leisurely QSOs anymore.

1. No need to show my passport or go through the hassles of airport security when I want to talk to people in other countries.2. I've accumulated enough electronics know-how to spot gimmicks when I see them.3. I can have all the radios I want, with NO BILLS!!!

The fact that the obnoxious grumpy neighbor across the street from me still has over the air TV with a 25 year old corroded TV antenna, a crappy TV amplifier all hooked up with deteriorating 300 ohm open wire line and I love to operate 6 meters at 300 watts output.

I agree with the Magic comment. You tickle some aluminuminuminuminum tubes here and half way around the world it tickles the aluminum of another hams aluminumunuminum and you have a contact. Its truly Magic.

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